Lyman school board works to keep district up and running

Posted: Monday, Jun 2nd, 2014

By SAMANTHA MAXFIELD

Pioneer Reporter

LYMAN ó As the transition into the new administration building continues, the UCSD No. 6 school board dotted i's and crossed t's to keep the district up and running for the next school year and honored district employees.

These actions were taken at the districtís regular meeting last week. May 21. It was held in the LIS auditorium. Lack of parking at the new administration building, as well as, echo and board table issues were the deciding factors in holding the meeting in the LIS auditorium. Otherwise, the offices from the old administration building have been moved to the new building.

The preliminary budget was summarized for the board by business manager Tony Gillies.

Gillies said the preliminary budget was based on last yearís figures with a few changes to the general fund revenue.

Gillies covered main points such as the large change in revenue brought on by the district being up a little more than 18 students from the previous school year. The change in revenue comes through a foundation program from state funding and gave the district roughly $290,000 to work with for budgets and salaries.

The districtís general fund expenses were based on current year salaries and were adjusted with teacher retirements. The district will save roughly $125,000 in salaries and benefits when the retired salaries are adjusted to new hire salaries.

Capital maintenance from the state and will have a balance of $613,000 for major projects and repairs.

Gillies reviewed the major repairs which included replacing broken bleacher seats, repairs to the common area floor, mechanicals at the swimming pool and finishing the fourth phase of the LHS parking lot as well as lights in Urie Elementary

Gillies said the district has bonds out with a $5 million principle. Gillies said he would be working from now until July with bond consultants to begin to call on the bonds. If the bonds can be called in, the goal would be to pay off the bonds early and save the taxpayers money.

The building fund budget included the parking lots for the administration building. The district is approved by the Legislature and School Facilities for planning money for four additional class rooms at the Urie Elementary. Gillies said during the fall of the 2014-15 school year the planning will begin for the additional classrooms.

Gillies proposed to the board setting a separate account for the districtís rental housing so the revenue from the houses can be used for repairs on the rentals.

In two separate motions the board approved the rental house revenue and repair account and accepted the preliminary budget proposed by Gillies.